Robin Webb: “Superleague Formula is the best F1 alternative”

14.02.2011: With Superleague Formula about to begin its fourth season we caught up with Competitions Director Robin Webb to get the lowdown on the Championship.
What is the current state of Superleague Formula?

With Superleague Formula about to begin its fourth season we caught up with Competitions Director Robin Webb to get the lowdown on the Championship.

What is the current state of Superleague Formula?

“Superleague Formula is in an interesting phase right now. We´ve come out of a very successful 2010, which was our 3rd season, and some would argue that it was our first ‘proper’ year in terms of championship status.

We delivered 12 rounds with 36 races (actually 35 due to Beijing bad weather) and we had the biggest prize fund in non F1 motorpsort. We had our first million euro champion, in a championship season that was not decided until the very last race and with just a two point gap.

We also had probably our best line-up of drivers and our first non euro ‘fly-away event’ in China. We have many Football Clubs, circuits, race teams and drivers all wanting to be a part of SF. So from my perspective Superleague Formula is an excellent place right now.”

Did the sad demise of A1GP strengthen or weaken Superleague Formula?

“When the rumours of difficulties regarding A1GP were at their height, I said that it would be bad if A1 failed. Initially everybody assumed that SF would go the same way. It was sad to see, but now with the benefit of hindsight, it helped us.

What it did was to take away some confusion and a competitor out in a market where we both wanted to position ourselves. From my perspective I can see that there is no longer any confusion (or doubt) in the market now about SF.

We had a change of ownership, in as much as an existing shareholder took over 99% of the business and also our sponsor, Sonangol, is very happy with progress. So I have to say Superleague Formula has benefited. We are now the only real global single-seater alternative destination to F1.”

Does the €5m prize fund help to attract better drivers and race teams?

“The prize fund is crucial. It gives our drivers, managers, sponsors and race teams the opportunity to recover all or some of their racing budget. For example, the 2010 winning driver made just over €1.8m for his team and management. I spoke with John Martin and Craig Dolby and in the latter case, his mentor/sponsor took a big risk last year and actually made a profit.

Where else can that happen in motorsport, and then have the PR machine of a major football club behind you. John Martin has been funded by his family and he was able to pay back every time he won. That was a unique experience for his father.

Also budgets for SF are sensible. You get a lot of racing (36 races), exciting qualifying (the knock outs) and the budget is two and a half times less than GP2. So for me it's a crucial part of our championship.”

Has the business of Superleague Formula changed since the series first launched?

“Yes it has. I think we all underestimated the values of the brands that we were lucky enough to bring to Superleague Formula. By that I include drivers who are brands in their own right. I was with a football club marketing director last week and he said that the value for him was in using the driver as a brand endorsement.

He explained that it’s the same principle as Tiger Woods wearing a Tag Heuer. He used their driver at all kinds of events to endorse the football club brand. This gave them extra column inches in national and generic press that they would not normally receive. Everybody told us you could not do a 100% reverse grid for the second race.

But we did it, and it has been great. And we now run the races in 3 consecutive outings in a very short time-frame. Much stress for the teams but great for TV and spectators, so that will continue for 2011. We need to be about entertainment above all else.”

Are there any changes that we can expect in 2011?

“In 2011 we intend to increase our global exposure. It´s what the football clubs want, and it´s where Superleague Formula wants to be. Outside of Europe, there are more-and-more opportunities cropping-up for us to race. There are circuits being built at an increasing rate, in territories that you would never normally consider.

We like that and want to be the first into those regions with long term contracts and the chance to develop those assets. So our plan for 2011 is to have 7 European races and 5 ‘fly-aways’. The deals are not all 100% signed off yet but we believe we can do it. We are also looking at a 20 car grid and some new football clubs from some new countries entering. More will be revealed in the next weeks. “

What do you think are the greatest achievements of Superleague Formula so far?

“There have been many threshold moments in the building of this championship. First was the day I woke and decided to do it! Everybody told me it was impossible and that I was crazy. I’m happy to have proved them wrong but it took much longer than I expected.

Other moments must include our Spanish investors, when they decided to back the project, also agreeing the design of the car and the specification of the engine and then receiving the first prototype. What a moment! Since then, it has been the endorsement of a top sponsor with the ensuing stability.

And finally the acceptance of SF as a genuine product in the market place. Sure, there are people who want to knock it but I haven’t detected a queue of race teams, drivers, or football clubs wanting to leave us at the end of every year. And that ex F1 drivers and future F1 drivers are perfectly happy to race in Superleague Formula – we give them a great race car - has probably been my most satisfying observation.”

Where do you see Superleague Formula in 5 years time?

“In 5 years time SF will be ‘establishment’. That’s important. Every event, competition or new product takes time to establish itself. In commercial terms they call it heritage and you can’t buy it, that intangible thing that gives you credibility and value.

If we are smart and don´t make too many mistakes (but also be prepared to take the odd risk here and there) then I expect Superleague Formula to have its own identity and, to be commercially viable and successful. Maybe, then I can retire!

More News

Filip Salaquarda agreed terms with AtechReidGp, for the 2011 Superleague Championship to drive one of the Anthony Reid and David Hayle cars. After the tests done in Monteblanco, the Czech driver and the team hardly worked more >>

Superleague Formula by Sonangol’s impressive stand proved one of the highlights at last weekend’s AUTOSPORT International Show in Birmingham, UK, where the build-up to 2011 traditionally kicks off.The more >>

Superleague Formula by Sonangol will be at Birmingham’s NEC from 13-16 January 2011 for the AUTOSPORT International Racing Car Show.This annual event is the largest of its kind in Europe and a pre-season must for fans hoping to learn more about what’s in store over the upcoming 12 months in motorsport.For the second consecutive ye more >>

A number of historical, established, new and returning venues will shape next season’s 12-round provisional Superleague Formula by Sonangol schedule.
The biggest development concerns three additional flyaway events which, although yet to be confirmed, will more >>

Superleague Formula by Sonangol will continue to boast one of the biggest prize funds in world motorsport next season having handed out an incredible €5,110,000 during a fascinating 2010 campaign.Drivers will again battle for €280,000 at each of the series’ 12 events in 2011 with €100,000 up-for-grabs for the winner of the five-lap dash-f more >>

Leading Superleague Formula by Sonangol team Atech Reid GP will undertake a pre-season test at Circuito Monteblanco on Thursday and Friday (9 and 10 December) as they assess possible drivers for the 2011 season.The Welsh-based squad, which ran cars for several clubs in the football-themed series this year, will field both the AC Milan and Liverpool V12-powere more >>

Superleague Formula by Sonangol is planning further global expansion in 2011 and has targeted races in the Middle East, Australia and the Americas.2010 saw the football-themed series hold events outside Europe for the first time with a double-header in China and, after the success of the races at the Ordos International Circuit and Beijing International Street Circu more >>

Superleague Formula will take to the city streets once again this weekend when Chris van der Drift demos the Liverpool FC car in Cardiff, Wales.
His run across the Cardiff Bay Barrage is set to be a highlight of the World Rally Championship stre more >>

Superleague Formula by Sonangol points leader Davide Rigon (RSC Anderlecht) took a significant step towards clinching the 2010 title and a prize of €1,000,000 by winning the Pole Shoot-out in the final round of the season at Navarra today.The 24-year-old Italian set the fastest time of the entire qualifying session, a 1:26.563, in the group phase and then progr more >>

Chris van der Drift reckons the 150mph crash at Brands Hatch last Sunday that left him with multiple broken bones was nothing more than a racing incident.The New Zealander suffered two broken ribs, a broken right ankle and right little finger, fractured shoulder blade and severely damaged left index finger after launching over Julien Jousse’s left rear-wheel a more >>

Atech Reid continued its winning ways in Superleague Formula by Sonangol with a convincing lights to flag victory for PSV Eindhoven’s Narain Karthikeyan in race two at Brands Hatch on Sunday. The team continues to lead the championship with Yelmer Buurman in the AC Milan car after he finished fourth, while Andy Soucek (Sporting Lisbon) drove a superb opening race to take his first podium more >>

John Martin (Beijing Guoan) netted €100,000 by winning the five-lap dash-for-the-cash Super Final in round 7 of Superleague Formula by Sonangol at Brands Hatch, while the topsy-turvy title fight swung back i more >>

Marcos Martínez (Sevilla FC) scored a stunning maiden Superleague Formula by Sonangol pole position in a thrilling qualifying final at Brands Hatch which saw him take victory over John Martin (Beijing Guoan FC) by just two hundredths of a second. more >>

The second half of Superleague Formula by Sonangol 2010 kicks off at Brands Hatch this weekend (July 31/August 1) with the title race as finely poised as it has been all season-long. Craig Dolby and local London club Tottenham Hotspur had been untouchable at the top of the standings throughout the first five rounds. But an accident at Zolder coupled with more >>

Franck Montagny will return to the Superleague Formula by Sonangol grid this weekend at Brands Hatch.The former F1 driver, who has raced for French club Girodins de Bordeaux since the beginning of the 2010 season, missed the last round at Zolder and was replaced by Porsche Supercup star Jaap van Lagen, who scored solid tenth and 12th placed finishes on his ser more >>

The Atech Reid-run AC Milan entry of Yelmer Buurman has taken the lead in the Superleague Formula by Sonangol series following a strong showing at Zolder at the weekend. The team was increased to five cars at the weekend, with Indian Narain Karthikeyan driving the PSV Eindhoven car, while Andy Soucek has stepped into the Sporting Lisbon car for the remainder of the year. more >>

Davide Rigon netted Belgian club RSC Anderlecht a home victory in the Super Final at round 6 of Superleague Formula by Sonangol at Zolder. The Italian grabbed the €100,000 prize from the five-lap dash-for-the-cash, completing a fine wee more >>

A breathtaking qualifying performance from Superleague Formula by Sonangol rookie Chris van der Drift gave Greek giants Olympiacos pole position for the opening race of round 6 at Zolder in Belgium today.
The 24-year-old consistently improved his times throughout t more >>

The Group Stages of qualifying for round 6 of Superleague Formula by Sonangol look set to be closely fought at Zolder tomorrow after the draw threw up two evenly-matched groups.
Championship leaders Tottenham Hotspur will go up against h more >>

Superleague Formula by Sonangol reaches its half-way stage this weekend when the football-themed series visits Zolder in Belgium, a circuit famed for its challenging nature.
The 2.492 mile, 10 turn circuit has remained a staple of the champio more >>

Yelmer Buurman crosses the line to take the flag at the end of race one.The Atech Reid team scored two more victories in the latest rounds of the Superleague Formula by Sonangol at the Nürburgring this weekend with Yelmer Buurman (AC Milan) and Alvaro P more >>

Chris van der Drift gave Greek club Olympiacos its second Super Final victory in seven days as the young New Zealander produced another superb performance in round 5 of Superleague Formula by Sonangol at the Nurburgring.
Having scooped the €100,000 priz more >>

A Superleague Formula by Sonangol qualifying session marked by surprises saw Italian club AS Roma and its French driver Julien Jousse make amends for both nations’ disastrous World Cup campaigns by netting pole position in qualifying for race 1 at the Nürbrgring on Sunday.
more >>

Superleague Formula by Sonangol journeys from central Spain to western Germany this weekend for the football-themed championship’s fifth round of the season at the Nurburgring. Nestled in the spectacular Eifel Mountains alongside its formidable Nordschleife forbearer, the circuit returns to the calendar after hosting the second-ever Superleague Formula r more >>

The Atech Reid Superleague Formula by Sonangol partnership had four cars competing for the team in Spain this weekend, with AC Milan’s Yelmer Buurman keen to repeat his double victory of last time out.
Qualifying kicked off with the traditio more >>

Superleague Formula by Sonangol rookie Chris van der Drift scored his first ever Super Final victory as the New Zealander’s continued impressive form netted Greek club Olympiacos a €100,000 prize fund in round 4 of the season at Magny-Cours.After t more >>

Australia may have made a bad start to the World Cup after a first game drubbing by Germany, while China haven’t even qualified for the tournament in South Africa, but both nations are celebrating this evening as Aussie John Martin put Chinese club Beijing Guoan on pole position by winning the qualifying knock out at round 4 of Superleague Formula by Sonangol in Jarama.
more >>

Ahead of Superleague Formula by Sonangol’s fourth round of the season at Jarama this weekend, the championship is pleased to announce that its potential worldwide audience continues to grow thanks to the addition of new broadcasters.Now in its third season, Superleague Formula has already received the support of more race promoters, teams and established drivers to parti more >>

Superleague Formula by Sonangol is ready to host a festival of motorsport, football and music as the series celebrates the World Cup in style at round 4 of the 2010 season at Jarama, Spain this weekend.
The football-themed motorsport series retur more >>

Reigning Superleague Formula by Sonangol champions Liverpool returned home to the streets of Merseyside on Tuesday evening where the surrounding buildings and 20,000 spectators shook to the sound of 750bhp.The Reds’ star driver James Walker and his V12-powered single seater were invited to attend the Liverpool Pageant of Power, the precursor to this summer’s Cholmondeley more >>

AC Milan and Yelmer Buurman scored a Superleague Formula by Sonangol double by adding Super Final victory and a cheque for €100,000 to their earlier race 1 triumph at a sun-drenched Magny-Cours on Sunday.The Dutch driver started the weekend-e more >>

Superleague Formula by Sonangol league leaders Tottenham Hotspur will start tomorrow’s first race at Magny-Cours on pole position after a thrilling pole shoot-out at the French circuit on Saturday afternoon.
Craig Dolby produced a comeb more >>

Just a week after Superleague Formula by Sonangol visited Assen in Holland, the championship makes the short hop into France, destination Magny-Cours, for round three of the 2010 campaign.While the majority of Europe’s domestic football leagues have reached their dramatic conclusions, Superleague Formula’s trip south of Paris sees the championship reach more >>

Yelmer Buurman took a home podium place for Atech Grand Prix-managed AC Milan in the final race of the Superleague Formula by Sonangol at Assen on Sunday, together with fastest lap in the opening race. Three top six finishes for Liverpool FC’s James Walker showed a return to form for the defending champions.
more >>